Best Places To Watch The 2021 Boston Marathon In Hopkinton

HOPKINTON, MA — Want to be there right at the starting line? Why not cheer on runners and watch them take their marks before this historic event?

After last year's race was canceled due to the coronavirus, this year's marathon will be the first time in 910 days the famous race will be run.

The historic course starts on Main Street in Hopkinton and follows Route 135 through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, and Wellesley.

But if you want to catch a good spot to post up in Hopkinton, the best advice is to get there as early as you possibly can.

Unless you want to be swarmed by large groups of onlookers, I would suggest avoiding the starting line. Heading out maybe a mile or two should give a little bit of breathing room.

The optimal viewing time to catch the runners in Hopkinton is from 8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.

Hopkinton Common will be mobbed, but further down Route 135 could also offer some interesting viewing and cheering spots if you get there early enough to find off-street parking.

MBTA Locations:

Since most roads will be closed, taking the Commuter rail to a viewing location along the route might not be a bad bet to get an ideal viewing or cheering spot.

Though full disclosure: the MBTA says it may adjust service or temporarily close stations near the finish line in the interest of public safety on Marathon Monday.

Parts of the Framingham/Worcester Line are less than a half-mile from the course, and the Green Line C Branch runs parallel to it.

There is a map of T stops along the Boston Marathon trail the MBTA released, and you can use it to find a T stop near your viewing spot below, and then use the MBTA trip planner to find out how to get there.

The closest commuter rail stop to Hopkinton is actually in Ashland, so you might want to try for a viewing location closer to Ashland.

Road Closures In Hopkinton:

All of East Main Street, West Union Street, and Union Streets in Hopkinton will be closed from 7:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

There's no official word yet, but best bets are that parts of Grove Street in Hopkinton will also be closed as the starting line is right off of it. Avoiding the area between the high school and Grove Street and Hopkinton State Park is highly recommended.

Parking In Hopkinton:

Driving to the starting line or other spectator areas is not recommended. Parking restrictions along the route may be in place leading up to and on the day of the marathon.

You can park at an MBTA station and take the subway or Commuter Rail in. Daily parking rates are $2 – $15, and you can pay in cash, credit, or on your phone.

Full Route Information:

When Route 135 joins Route 16, it continues along through Newton Lower Falls, turning right at the fire station onto Commonwealth Avenue, which is Route 30.

It follows Commonwealth Avenue through Newton Hills, bearing right at the reservoir onto Chestnut Hill Avenue to Cleveland Circle.

The route then turns left onto Beacon Street, continuing through Brookline, Kenmore Square, and under Massachusetts Avenue.

The course turns right onto Hereford Street, then left onto Boylston Street, finishing up near the Boston Public Library in Copley Square.

A Little History of Hopkinton:

The Boston Marathon starting line used to be in Ashland, until it moved west to Hopkinton in 1924.

The BAA officials designed the current course to match the original in Greece: a 25-mile hilly route culminating at a stadium, or the closest thing to a stadium that Boston had at the time, the 220-yard Irvington Street Oval.

When the starting line was in Ashland, it rested on the Boston and Albany railroad bridge. At 22-feet wide, the bridge was more than adequate to fit the 17 runners that year.

By 1907, the bridge could not hold the 124 runners participating, and the starting point was moved again to Union Street at Steven's Corner.

In 1924, the course was lengthened to 26 miles, 385 yards. With that change, the start left Ashland forever, moving up the road and across the town border into Hopkinton.

More on Patch:

• When Is The 2021 Boston Marathon
• What Is The Mask Policy For Boston Marathon 2021
• How To Watch The 2021 Boston Marathon

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